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Football London
Football London
Sport
Ryan O'Donovan

'I thought we wanted third place?' - Chelsea fans can't believe Sarri's starting XI vs Watford

Chelsea fans can't believe Maurizio Sarri's starting XI for their game with Watford after dropping Ruben Loftus-Cheek to the bench despite chasing third place in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old has been a regular in the side in the past couple of months after recovering from a back injury that has plagued him most of the campaign and has really made that position his own.

But Sarri has elected to drop him for the visit of Watford despite the Blues looking to claim three points to firm up their hold on the Champions League places ahead of the final game of the season at Leicester City next week.

Chelsea captain Gary Cahill aims dig at Maurizio Sarri ahead of Stamford Bridge farewell 

Instead, Mateo Kovacic comes into the starting XI in place of the Englishman, with Sarri most likely keeping one eye on the Europa League semi final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday at Stamford Bridge.

It's one of four changes as Marcos Alonso, Eden Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain also return to the starting XI having sat out Thursday night's trip to Germany.

Chelsea's Ruben Loftus-Cheek celebrates scoring his side's third goal of the game during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday April 3, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Chelsea. Photo credit should read: Ian Walton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Ian Walton/PA Wire)

But Chelsea fans have been left in shock at the decision in what is a key game for Chelsea's top four hopes.

Here's what they had to say:

Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard aims thinly veiled dig over PFA team of the year snub 

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